Being Noticed

Sometimes as a parent I feel like nobody in the house notices what nice things I do. Unappreciated? Yeah, sometimes. I get accused for all kinds of things, and blamed for things I have or have not done. Sometimes it's just nice to know that I am seen as a person, set apart from being seen as The Mom. And sometimes . . . I get my wish. On Monday, since the kids were home for Columbus Day, they convinced me to pick up some Chick-fil-A for everyone. They really didn't have to pressure me much. James, however, didn't want a Chick-fil-A sandwich. He wanted macaroni and cheese (he yearns for weekends and holidays so that he can eat mac and cheese). So, I picked up only 4 sandwiches, one for me and one for each of the older kids. On the way home to eat, Joseph suddenly said to me, "And if James has a fit because he now wants a sandwich, I hope you don't give it to him. I want you to enjoy your sandwich, and you usually don't get to. James always has a fit, and then you give him your big sandwich, and you get stuck eating his little thing of nuggets." I thanked Joseph for his kindness and his observation, and then explained that it's okay, because I know that sometimes little kids don't know what they want, and so I don't mind sharing to make James happy. Inwardly, I smiled all the way home. Someone noticed! Joseph noticed. He noticed that I sacrifice my wants for my children. Thanks Joseph. Thanks for just noticing. I got a free book awhile ago called Max Found Two Sticks, and I've been waiting to read it to the boys. However, whenever I put it in my stack of books to read they never pick it to be read. On Wednesday, after James picked his book to read, then I picked Max Found Two Sticks. I was determined to read it - just to give it a try - just to see if we liked it or not. James was very uncooperative, and was all over the room, and playing with Jalen. I was frustrated. I finished reading it, but it had not been an enjoyable experience. Last night I asked James to pick out a couple of books from the shelf for us to read together. He picked out Little Bear (his favorite, he said), Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, and to my surprise Max Found Two Sticks. When I asked him why he picked that one out, he responded, "It's your favorite. I picked out my favorite, and I want you to read your favorite too!" I was floored. I don't think James has ever said anything more kind and observant than that to me. It almost erased all the mean things he had yelled at me earlier (You're a mean, stupid, dumb, stupid mom!). Thanks James. Thanks for noticing. I guess it goes the other direction as well. Last Wednesday was one of our crazy days. Our schedule was as such: 2:40 James came home from school 3:40 Rebekah & Joseph came home from school 4:15 to 5:30 Christine - volleyball game 5:00 to 6:00 Cub scouts for Joseph 5:00 to 6:00 Activity Day for Rebekah and me 5:30 to 6:30 Soccer practice for Joseph 6:30 to 8:00 Young Women's for Christine No, the rest of our week, is not that hectic, but Wednesdays are a doozey. Anyhow, that day was chaotic at best. James and Jalen ended up coming to Activity Day until Erik could get there to pick them and Joseph up. In the middle of it all Christine was calling from home to let us know that she had gotten home okay from the game, and all the while I was trying to teach the girls an Article of Faith. Rebekah was my lifesaver. She just noticed what needed to be done (take care of Jalen, tell James to stop running, answer my cellphone, etc.) I thanked her later for all that she had done, because I really had appreciated her unsolicited help. She gave a faint smile, and said, "Thanks for noticing that I did all of that." “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” -Anonymous